Tate, Sharpton close to returning to game action

Tate was injured making a cut on his final carry of the Baltimore game before the Texans’ week off. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Tate’s hamstring sore; ‘no setback’
Running back Ben Tate returned to practice Wednesday to see how his injured hamstring is progressing, but it was too tender for him to work again Thursday. Still, he insisted, “it wasn’t a setback,” and his playing Sunday against the Jaguars remains a possibility.

“I’ve been working, working, working,” Tate said. “Yesterday I just wanted to test it and see where we were at. It was sore. … It’s tough to tell (if he’ll play this weekend). I want to feel 100 percent when I get out there.”

Sharpton shows progress
Inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton continues to look good in practice. He’s not showing signs of the quad, knee and hip injuries that have kept him out for almost a year.

“He’s doing really well,” Kubiak said. “I think there’s a decision we could be making at the end of the week. We still have another week if we don’t want to do it.”

Nothing friendly in Jags games
Games between the Texans and Jaguars have been known to get nasty.

“It’s just history,” left tackle Duane Brown said. “We play them twice a year. We know both of us are trying to hit each other in the mouth. Both of us have very physical styles of play.

“I don’t have any negative feelings for them. It’s a respect that I have for them. … I don’t go sleeping on any player on their defense. I know to buckle up and to get ready for a big play.”

• • •

See the best photos from the Texans’ 13-6 win over the Bears.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) tries to get away from Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Chicago. In the rain and mud, Foster ran for 102 yard as the Texans won 13-6. less

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) tries to get away from Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Chicago. In the ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning high-fives fans as he leaves the field after the Texans 13-6 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Chicago. Manning intercepted a pass and forced a fumble against his former team. less

Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning high-fives fans as he leaves the field after the Texans 13-6 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Chicago. Manning intercepted ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) celebrate after an interception by Jackson against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) celebrate after an interception by Jackson against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Bears tight end Kellen Davis (87) fumbles as he is hit by Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) for a turnover during the first quarter.

Bears tight end Kellen Davis (87) fumbles as he is hit by Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) for a turnover during the first quarter.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) brings in a play as rain falls during the first quarter.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) brings in a play as rain falls during the first quarter.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Bears kick returner Devin Hester (23) is brought down by the Houston Texans Quintin Demps (27) on a punt return during the first quarter.

Bears kick returner Devin Hester (23) is brought down by the Houston Texans Quintin Demps (27) on a punt return during the first quarter.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) is brought down by Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) after intercepting a pass during the first half.

Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) is brought down by Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) after intercepting a pass during the first half.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans free safety Danieal Manning celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half.

Texans free safety Danieal Manning celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) and free safety Danieal Manning (38) celebrate as Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) walks off the field after the Texans stopped the Bears last fourth down attempt during the fourth quarter. less

Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) and free safety Danieal Manning (38) celebrate as Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) walks off the field after the Texans stopped the Bears last fourth down attempt ... more

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) gets away a pass as Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) leaps to defend and inside linebacker Tim Dobbins (52) closes in during the second quarter. Cutler was hit hard by Dobbins after he released the ball, causing a concussion on the play. Dobbins was penalized for the hit, offsetting a penalty against Cutler for an illegal forward pass. Cutler finished the half, but did not return after halftime. less

Bears center Roberto Garza (63) and tackle Gabe Carimi (72) rush to the aid of quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after he was hit by Texans inside linebacker Tim Dobbins (52) after throwing a pass during the second quarter. less

Bears center Roberto Garza (63) and tackle Gabe Carimi (72) rush to the aid of quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after he was hit by Texans inside linebacker Tim Dobbins (52) after throwing a pass during the second ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Jay Cutler is helped to his feet after he was hit by Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins after throwing a pass during the second quarter.

Jay Cutler is helped to his feet after he was hit by Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins after throwing a pass during the second quarter.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Bears quarterback Jay Cutler puts on his helmet to return to action after he was hit by Texans inside linebacker Tim Dobbins after throwing a pass during the second quarter. Cutler finished the half, but did not return after halftime. less

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler puts on his helmet to return to action after he was hit by Texans inside linebacker Tim Dobbins after throwing a pass during the second quarter. Cutler finished the half, but did ... more